International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)

Volume 11, Issue 3, March 2020, pp. 6-14. Article ID: IJMET_11_03_002
Available online at https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET?Volume=11&Issue=3
ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34218/IJMET.11.3.2020.002
© IAEME Publication

DESIGN, FABRICATION, AND TESTING OF A

MOVABLE SOLAR OPERATED SPRAYER FOR
FARMING OPERATION
Issa, W.A*
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abdulmumuni, B, Azeez, R.O, Okpara I.N, Fanifosi, J.O and Ologunye O.B
Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology,
Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author

ABSTRACT
Famers do spray seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc. to protect crops from
different insects, pests, diseases and have good harvests. Hand and fuel operated spray
pumps are the most common sprayer used in Nigeria. The sprayer causes user fatigue
due to excessive bulky and heavy construction, a user can't use it for more than five (5)
hours without getting tired, the fuel sprayer is expensive to maintain, emits carbon
dioxide and harmful to our environment. In this study, a movable solar operated sprayer
for the farming operation was designed and fabricated to overcome these difficulties.
The system operates in both direct mode and indirect mode. In the direct mode, the
sprayer is operated from the electricity generated by 50W solar panel mounted on a
movable frame and in the indirect mode it is operated on stored electrical energy in the
lead-acid DC battery (12 V, 12 Ah). Priming diaphragm pump of 10W or mini DC
reciprocating cycle motor of 5W is used to generate the required operating pressure to
spray the liquid pesticide formulations. The capacity of the storage tank is 20 liters for
uninterrupted operation of 25.1 minutes with the discharge rate of 0.79 L/min through
the electric flexible mists high-pressure multiple sprayers with four (4) nozzles. Data
generated from the theoretical formulae were used to fabricate the system using locally
available and durable materials. The sprayer was tested in farmland on two different
crops after charging the battery for 3 hours in sunlight. The results obtained were as
follows: Power conversion efficiency 20.4%, the time required to charge the battery
2.88hrs, time taken to spray 1 acre of land 2.13hrs, backup time of spray 14.5hrs,
application rate 0.04 𝐿/𝑚2 and operating time of the battery 8hrs. The results obtained
show that solar sprayer was effective and will be useful in rural areas where there is no
constant power supply. The system is incorporated with an energy bulb and charging
kit to light up the farmyard and for the operator to charge his/her phone.

https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET 6 editor@iaeme.com
 Issa, W.A, Abdulmumuni, B, Azeez, R.O, Okpara I.N, Fanifosi, J.O and Ologunye O.B

Keywords: Power conversion efficiency, Backup time of spray, Discharge &

Application rate.
Cite this Article: Issa, W.A, Abdulmumuni, B, Azeez, R.O, Okpara I.N, Fanifosi, J.O
and Ologunye O.B, Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a Movable Solar Operated
Sprayer for Farming Operation, International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and
Technology, 11(3), 2020, pp. 6-14.
https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET?Volume=11&Issue=3

1. INTRODUCTION
There is fieldwork normally embark on by farmers in the agricultural sector such as weeding,
reaping, sowing, spraying, etc. Out of the which, spraying is the most important operation
normally performed by the farmer to protect the cultivated crops from pests, insects, funguses,
and diseases for which various insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, and nutrients are sprayed on
crops for protection (Krishna M.B, 2017).
The recent concern on how to control plant diseases, insects and weeds for the qualitative
yield of agricultural products is increasing rapidly in many developing countries like Nigeria.
Crop spraying is employed for many varieties of purposes in the traditional farming system by
dipping brushes, leaves or brooms into diluted water added to chemicals in an open container
and sprinkling on the required area.
A sprayer is a mechanical device used to spray liquid like herbicides, pesticides, fungicides,
and fertilizers to the crops to prevent pests or insects from destroying the crops. Sprayer
provides optimum utilization of pesticides or any other chemicals with minimum efforts and
less cost. Farmers normally use hand or fuel operated sprayers to perform this task. This
traditional spraying method causes user fatigue due to excessive bulky and heavy construction
(Arunkumar M., 2015).
In Nigeria farms generally, two types of spray pumps are used for spraying; hand-operated
spray pump and fuel operated spray pump, out of which hand-operated spray pumps are most
common. The setback of the hand-operated spray pump is that the user cannot use it
continuously for more than five (5) to six (6) hours since he/she gets tired after such a long
time. Similarly, the fuel operated spray pump requires fuel which is expensive and available in
the rural areas. At the same time, it emits carbon dioxide as a pollutant that is harmful to our
environment. In such a situation, there should be a need to think about how to move towards
some non-conventional energy. Considering it, solar energy would be one of the best solutions
(Ahalya M., 2017).
The development in pesticides sprayer brings a revolution in the agriculture/horticulture
sector which assists farmers to obtain the maximum agricultural output. A sprayer is used for
agriculture spraying, garden spraying, weed, and pest control, liquid fertilizing and plant leaf
polishing. There are a lot of advantages derived from sprayers such as easy to operate, maintain
and handle. It increases the uniform spread of chemicals, capable of throwing the liquid
formulation at the desired level, throwing foggy, light and heavy spray depending on the
requirement (Pandurang L., 2015).
There are a lot of difficulties normally faced by Nigerian farmers due to harsh weather and
thus affect the spray quality and pattern. It also prevents farmers to harness the benefit of the
pesticide application even after investing costs and efforts. The available battery operated
sprayers have operational constraints such as choking of a nozzle, poor quality of spray, high
human effort, low field capacity, the uncertainty of grid power availability and deep discharge
of the battery, etc. It was discovered that about 50%-80% of applied pesticide is wasted due to
poor spray machinery and improper application methods. During spraying, farmers swing the

https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET 7 editor@iaeme.com
 Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a Movable Solar Operated Sprayer for Farming Operation

spray nozzle head that results in uneven application of pesticides making the operation less
efficient and uneconomical (Rahul V.K, 2018).
In Nigeria, 73% of the population is directly or indirectly dependent upon the farming
produce. Hence Nigeria is now an agricultural producing nation, but still, farmers face
numerous problems such as; pest, lack of mechanization, short supply of electricity and existing
method (Ergonomically imperfect). To overcome these difficulties, a "movable solar operated
sprayer" has been developed. This system can be operated using solar energy, which is
converted into electrical energy and stored in a storage battery.

2. AIM AND OBJECTIVES

This project aims to design, fabricate and test a movable solar operated sprayer for a farming
operation.
The objectives of the project are;
➢ To design a solar operated sprayer capable of spraying up to 650litres of pesticides
and herbicides daily
➢ To fabricate and test the sprayer on two (2) different crops
➢ To evaluate the performance of the sprayer

3. LITERATURE REVIEW
There is a lot of researchers works done on different types of sprayer such as a high-pressure
sprayer, the engine operated sprayer, tractor mounted sprayer, etc.
➢ (Joshua R., 2010): Developed a power sprayer with the two-stroke petrol engine.
The cost of operating the system is quite high and thus solar operated sprayer is
suggested as an alternative.
➢ Rao et. al. (2013): Developed a multiple power supplied fertilizer sprayer that can
spray up to 580 liters of pesticide in about 5-6 acre of land when the battery is fully
charged.
➢ Khan (2014): designed a spray jet which can be operated by a DC pump run by PV
panels.
➢ Chavan et. al. (2015): developed a prototype solar-powered agricultural pesticide
sprayer using a 20W PV module and a brushless DC motor (12 V, 2.2 A).
➢ Shivarajkumar A. and Parameswaramurthy D.: developed a wheel driven sprayer.
The wheel operated pesticide spray equipment consists of a reciprocating pump to
pressurize the liquid and power the reciprocating action of the pump. It is a portable
device and does not require fuel for its operation; the main drawback of this
equipment is that it cannot move in the land where the crops are already grown to a
certain height and it is also difficult to carry on clay land.
➢ Dr. R. N. Panchal Sir, Mr. Nikhil Deshmukh, Miss. PoonamShahapure, Miss.
MrunaliniPatil, Miss.AshwiniKengale. Design a Monowheel Operated Pesticide
Spraying Machine. They develop effective spraying and introduce new machines
and techniques for the improvement and advancement of living standards of human
beings.
➢ S.Charvani, K.Sowmya, M.Malathi, P.Rajani, K.Saibaba. Design and Fabrication of
a Solar Sprayer to studied and understand the mechanism for the spraying process.
Mathematical models were developed after adopting suitable assumptions for
calculation of the power of the motor required for spraying a known quantity of
fluid. The parts required for the system were selected by solving for known input

https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET 8 editor@iaeme.com
 Issa, W.A, Abdulmumuni, B, Azeez, R.O, Okpara I.N, Fanifosi, J.O and Ologunye O.B

values and considering their availability in the market. The system was fabricated
and arrangements were made on the system to make it portable and to allow the
users to carry it on their back while in operation. The system was fabricated
according to the design parameters and field-tested according to the standard test
conditions (Krishna M.B, 2017).
➢ Shailesh Malone, ShubhamKathwate, Pratik Kolhe, Rodney Jacob, NishatIngole,
Rupesh D. Khorgade: Design and Development a Multipurpose Pesticides Spraying
Machine that will enhance the productivity and increase the farmer’s income and
carries a multi-nozzle pesticides sprayer pump which will perform spraying at the
maximum rate in minimum time. Constant flow valves are applied at the nozzle to
have uniform nozzle pressure (Krishna M.B, 2017).
➢ Mane Deshmukh Vijay, BhoirNilesh, GhadeTushar: Design and fabrication of an
agriculture weeder as agricultural equipment useful for a farmer. This equipment is
known as the weeder cycle. It has a weeder rotor adjustment cycle using inverter
software to remove multiple kinds of grass between two rows in less time. Therefore
fewer workers are required to remove grass (Krishna M.B, 2017).
➢ Prof. N. R. Jadhao, ChinmayKadam, HaiderGazge, Rahul Dhania, and Nikhil
Kalpund: Develop an Agricultural Sprayer Vehicle with Router Weeder and Seed
Sower; the machine is beneficial to the farmer for spraying and weeding operation
along with the seed sowing application. The multifunction device is handy and is
used in different stages of farming as per requirement (Krishna M.B, 2017).

4. MATERIALS AND METHODS

4.1. Materials and Specification
COST
S/N MATERIAL SPECIFICATION DIMENSION QTY
(N)
1. Solar Panel 50W, 17.9 V & 3A 74 X 42.5 X 3.5cm 1 12000
2. Charge controller 12V & 20A - 1 6500
3. D.C Battery 12V & 12 Ah 15 X 10 X 10 cm 1 9000
Mini DC
12V, 0.13A, 5W 12-20mm stroke and
4. reciprocating 1 12600
&600rpm 6-14mm output shaft
cycle Motor
2m suction, 6mm
Priming 12V, 4.8 bar, 6W-10W,
5. inner and 9mm outer 1 9000
Diaphragm Pump 0.5-0.7A&1.5-2lits/min
diameter
6. Tank PVC Material 20 lits 1 8500
Do =12mm & L =
7. Connecting pipe PVC Material 1 2000
9.1m
Multiple hollow Electric flexible mist
8. Do = 0.75 mm 1 3000
Nozzle high-pressure nozzle
1 inch Lengths 3 3000
9. Square pipe 1½ inch ½ Length ½ 1500
10. Angle iron ¾ inch ¾ Length ½ 1000
11. Bolt and Nut 25mm X 25mm ¼ length 1/4 500
Hexagonal 10mm and 14mm 16 500
12. Wheel 400mm wheelbarrow tire 1 1 2000

https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET 9 editor@iaeme.com
 Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a Movable Solar Operated Sprayer for Farming Operation

Solar bulb and

13. 5W 2 2 3000
Charging kit

14. Connecting wire 4mm 6 yards 350 2100

15. Switch 2 gang - - 400

Purchase of cutting, welding,
16. Fabrication grinding, painting & - - 15000
Materials assembly
17. Transportation - - - 10000
AutoCAD drawing,
18. Miscellaneous - - 14600
Typing work, and others
TOTAL 116,200

4.2. Methods
4.2.1. Design consideration
➢ The total weight of the machine should be such that an operator can move it
comfortably whenever it is required without any discomfort affecting his
performance and health.
➢ It should have DC power backup for not less than 4hours of operation.
➢ The setup should be sturdy with ease of operation and controls along with low repair
and maintenance costs.
➢ It should meet the technical, functional, operational, and structural requirements for
quality spraying of pesticides and economically viable (Vinay S., 2016).
➢ To avoid clogging, a mesh filter will be placed before the nozzle in the nozzle head
to prevent clogging (Vinay S., 2016).

4.2.2. Design calculation

4.2.2.1. The time required to charge the battery

Battery rating = 12AH 12V
Maximum Power (P) 50
Current produced by the solar panel(I) = = = 4.17A (1)
Voltage rating (V) 12
Rating of battery 12
Theoretical charging time (T) = Total current consumed
= 4.17
= 2.88ℎ𝑟𝑠 (2)

4.2.2.2. Backup sprayer Time

Reciprocating cycle mini gear motor = 12V& 0.13A and Diaphragm pump – 12V& 0.7A
𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚 (𝒘−𝒉𝒓)
Backup sprayer Time = 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒅 (𝒘)
(3)
12 × 12 144 144
𝐵𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑢𝑝 𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 = = = = 14.5ℎ𝑟𝑠
12 × 0.13 + 12 × 0.7 1.56 + 8.4 9.96

4.2.2.3. Power Conversion Efficiency of the Solar Panel

Solar power conversion efficiency can be calculated as follows;
𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 (Ƞ) = 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
= 𝑃𝑖𝑛
(4)

https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET 10 editor@iaeme.com
 Issa, W.A, Abdulmumuni, B, Azeez, R.O, Okpara I.N, Fanifosi, J.O and Ologunye O.B

𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑖𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 ×𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑖𝑡 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 64.2

% 𝑃. 𝐶. 𝐸 = = ×100%= 20.4%
𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 × 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 314.5

5. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The results below where obtain after carrying out a test on the project as follows;
➢ The system was placed in sunlight for 3hrs to charge from 12.4V to 14.4V
➢ Tested on tomatoes, maize, and open field in the farmland
➢ The time required to charge the battery, time required to spray one (1) acre of land,
flow rate and application rate was determined by using measuring bowl, stop watch,
and grid

5.1. Results
Table 6.1: Experimental setup to plot the characteristics of battery voltage and fluid discharge to time

Battery
Battery voltage Volume Time Discharge
voltage
(V2) (liter) (min) (Q) (lit/min)
(V1)
13.60 13.50 1.00 1.27 0.79
13.50 13.40 2.00 2.52 0.79
13.40 13.30 3.00 3.77 0.80
13.30 13.20 4.00 4.95 0.81
13.20 13.10 5.00 6.00 0.83

Figure 5.1: Characteristics of battery voltage and fluid discharge to time

5.1.1. Time required operating the sprayer while being charged and discharged
simultaneously
The fully charged battery at 14.4V can last for eight (8) hours before dropping to 12.74V when
used to spray fluid, charge phone and light up 5W energy bulb concurrently.

5.1.2. Application rate

L Volume collected (L)×Time (min)
Application rate (m2 ) = Time (min)×Area of test plot (m2 )
(5)
1 × 1.27 1.27
A. R = = = 0.04 L/m2
1.27 × 25 31.75

https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET 11 editor@iaeme.com
 Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a Movable Solar Operated Sprayer for Farming Operation

5.1.3. Determination of Flow Rate

𝐿𝑖𝑡 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 (𝐿𝑖𝑡)
𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 (𝑄)𝑖𝑛 𝑆𝑒𝑐 = 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 (𝑚𝑖𝑛)
(6)

1
𝐹. 𝑅 = = 0.79 𝐿/𝑚𝑖𝑛
1.27
5.1.4. Pump Efficiency
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
𝑃. 𝐸 (Ƞ) = (7)
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦

12 × 0.7 8.4
𝑃. 𝐸(Ƞ) = = × 100% = 23.33%
12 × 3 36
5.1.5. Pressure discharge relationship of the pump
Hydraulic Power
Pump capacity = (8)
Efficiency of the pump

ρghQ 1000 × 9.81 × 8.7 × 0.013 1109.511

P. C = = = = 4755.727W
Ƞ 0.2333 0.2333
= 4.756kW

5.2. Discussions
➢ The system can work for 8 hours with a voltage drop from 14.4V to 12.74V
➢ The fluid discharge is 0.79 L/min
➢ Can spray 162 liters of pesticide or herbicide on 1 acre of land in 2hrs 13mins.
➢ Fine droplets of atomized particles were obtained.

6. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

6.1. Conclusion
➢ The result shows that the system is efficient, portable and provides at least 8 hours
of operation daily
➢ The system will enhance the working capacity of the farmer by reducing the time
and fatigue
➢ The system can spray between 600 – 650 liters of chemicals on 3 to 4 acres of land
➢ The system is incorporated with an energy bulb and charging kit to light up the
farmyard and for the operator to charge his/her phone
➢ The initial cost of the system is a little higher but does not require running cost

6.2. Recommendations
➢ Incorporating fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) to reduce the weight between 2kg to
3kg
➢ The system can be automated using microcontroller
➢ Incorporating the concentric collector to increase charging efficiency
➢ Energy can be saved using PWM Scheme to drive the pump.

https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET 12 editor@iaeme.com
 Issa, W.A, Abdulmumuni, B, Azeez, R.O, Okpara I.N, Fanifosi, J.O and Ologunye O.B

REFERNCES
[1] Ahalya M., M. A. (2017). Solar Powered Semi-Automatic Pesticide Sprayer applicable in
Vineyards. Seventh Sense Research Group International Journal of Electronics and
Communication Engineering, 4, 54-57.
[2] Arunkumar M., K. N. (2015). Design and Fabrication of Portable Solar. India: Mechanical
Engineering Department, University B.D.T College of Engineering.
[3] Chavan R., H. A. (2015). Design and construction of solar-powered agricultural pesticide
sprayer. (4, Ed.) International Journal of Innovations & Advancement in Computer Science,
4, 145-150.
[4] Joshua R., V. (2010). Solar Sprayer - An Agriculture Implement 2. International Journal of
Sustainable Agriculture, 1, 16-19.
[5] Khan, Z. (2014). Unique solar operated spray jet. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil
Engineering (IOSR-JMCE), 43-46.
[6] Krishna M.B, R. K. (2017). Solar Pesticide Sprayer. International Journal of Latest
Engineering Research and Applications, 2(2455-7137), 82-89.
[7] Pandurang L., V. P. (2015). Solar operated Pesticide Sprayer. International Journal of
Advanced Research in Science and Engineering, 1-5.
[8] Rahul V.K, S. M. (2018). Fabrication of Wireless Operated Solar Pesticide Sprinkler.
International Journal of Advanced Research in Science and Engineering, 4, 260-270.
[9] Rao V.V., M. S. (2013). International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications. (3,
Ed.) Multiple power supplied fertilizer sprayer, 8, 1-10.
[10] Singh K., P. D. (2018). Development of a Solar Powered Knapsack Sprayer. Journal of
Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 1269-1272.
[11] Varikuti V.R, S. M. (2013). Multiple Power Supplied Fertilizer Sprayer. International
Journal of Science and Research Publications of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
(PDACE), 1-5.
[12] Venkateswarlu M., K. M. (2016). Agricultural Solar Sprayer with Multi Applications.
Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, 2(2456-1479), 1-7.
[13] Vinay S., D. K. (2016). Design and development of Solar Photovoltaic based power sprayer
for Agricultural use. Article in Annals of arid Zone 55 (182), pp. 51-57.

https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET 13 editor@iaeme.com
 Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a Movable Solar Operated Sprayer for Farming Operation

APPENDIX A ASSEMBLY AND EXPLODED DIAGRAM OF A

MOVABLE SOLAR OPERATED SPRAYER FOR FARMING
OPERATION

APPENDIX B: THE FABRICATED MOVABLE SOLAR OPERATED

SPRAYER FOR FARMING OPERATION

https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET 14 editor@iaeme.com